Page:Physical Geography of the Sea and its Meteorology.djvu/437

Rh the largest last longest, and approach nearest to the equator. Here, then, is the great line of antarctic drift; by studying it we may perhaps catch a glimmer of light from south polar shores. These icebergs, be it remembered, have drifted north through a belt of westerly winds. Their course, therefore, was probably not due north, but to the east of that rhomb.

766. The line of antarctic drift.—Tracing this line of drift, then, backward in a south-westerly direction, it should guide us to that part of the southern continent where the icebergs have their principal nursery. This would take us to the sources of the Humboldt current, and seem to indicate that these glaciers are launched in its waters; but, as their motion is slow, the winds bear the bergs to the east, while the general drift sets them to the north.

767. Necessity for, and advantages of an antarctic expedition.—Arrived at this point, fiords, deep bays, and capacious gulfs loom up before the imagination, reminding us to ask the question. Is there not embosomed in the antarctic continent a Mediterranean, the shores of which are favourable to the growth and the launching of icebergs of tremendous size? and is not the entrance to this sea near the meridian of Cape Horn, perhaps to the west of it? Circumstances like these beget longings, and we sigh for fresh antarctic explorations. Surely, when we consider the advantages which the improvements of the age, the lights of the day, would afford an exploring expedition there now; when we reflect upon the drawbacks and difficulties with which former expeditions thither had to contend; when we call to mind the facilities with which one might be conducted now: surely, I say, when we thus reflect, no one can doubt as to the value and importance of the discoveries which a properly equipped expedition would now be sure to make.

768. Commercial considerations.—In those regions there are doubtless elements of commercial wealth in the number of seals and abundance of whales, if in nothing else. It seems to be a physical law that cold-water fish are more edible than those of warm water. Bearing this fact in mind as we study Plate IX., we see at a glance the places which are most favoured with good fish-markets. Both shores of North America, the east coast of China, with the west coasts of Europe and South America, are all washed by cold waters, and therefore we may infer that their markets abound with the most excellent fish. The fisheries of